Local Café Closes After Complaints About Bacon Odor

Emma Ayles, the owner of a local cafe, has had to close her business just before Christmas, leaving eight employees without jobs. The unexpected reason for the closure? Complaints from three neighbors about the smell of bacon and the sound of teacups clinking. This surprising situation has sparked a heated debate.

Emma, aged 47, expressed her shock and sadness after local authorities informed her that she must close down immediately. The issue? The authorities cited that the cafe was causing ‘unacceptable harm’ to the quality of life of nearby residents.

The cafe, named The Caddy Shack, was set up in a converted metal shipping container at the Weymouth and Portland Rugby Club in Dorset in April 2022. Emma, a mother of two, had moved the business from another location in town. Initially supported by the rugby club as temporary tenants, she had been working on securing planning permission to make the cafe a permanent fixture.

The Caddy Shack quickly became a popular spot for locals, including walkers, children, and people using mobility scooters. But the atmosphere changed when three nearby residents filed complaints in October 2022, citing noise and unpleasant smells, particularly the smell of bacon and the sound of cutlery.

Despite Emma’s efforts to keep the cafe open, her application for retrospective planning permission was denied by Dorset Council in February. An appeal was also rejected, leaving her with no choice but to close. Emma described the ongoing uncertainty as stressful, especially as the closure came right before Christmas, forcing her to let go of her staff, many of whom were students or had families to support.